The efficacy of oxytocin gel in postmenopausal women with vaginal atrophy: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a common and disturbing issue in the postmenopausal period. Unlike vasomotor symptoms, it has a progressive trend. Our study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oxytocin gel versus placebo gel in postmenopausal women with GSM. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from Web of Science, SCOPUS, PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases on January 18, 2023. Keywords such as "oxytocin," "intravaginal," "vaginal," "atrophic," and "atrophy" were used. We used Review Manager (RevMan) version 5.4 in our analysis. We used the risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous outcomes and the mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes; both were presented with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) and were calculated with the Mantel-Haenszel or inverse variance statistical method. Cochrane's Q test and the I2 statistic were used as measures of statistical inconsistency and heterogeneity. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for RCTs was used for the quality assessment of the included studies. RESULTS: Seven studies with 631 patients were included. Regarding the maturation index, there was a statistically insignificant increase in the oxytocin arm (MD = 12.34, 95% CI (-12.52-37.19), P = 0.33). Clinically assessed vaginal atrophy showed a statistically significant reduction in the oxytocin group (RR = 0.32, 95% CI (0.23 - 0.10), P < 0.00001). For dyspareunia, vaginal pH, and histological evaluation of vaginal atrophy, there was a statistically insignificant difference between the two groups (RR = 1.02, 95% CI (0.82-1.27), P = 0.84), (MD = -0.74, 95% CI (-1.58-0.10), P = 0.08), and (MD = -0.38, 95% CI (-0.82-0.06), P = 0.09), respectively. There was no significant difference in the safety profile between the two groups as measured by endometrial thickness (MD = 0.00, 95% CI (-0.23-0.23), P = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Although oxytocin has been proposed as a viable alternative to estrogen in the treatment of GSM, our findings show the opposite. Larger, high-quality RCTs are needed to confirm or refute our results. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number CRD42022334357.

Oxytocin versus a combination of tranexamic acid and ethamsylate in reducing intraoperative bleeding during abdominal myomectomy: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Myomectomy is the preferred surgical approach to manage uterine fibroids. However, uterine fibroids are highly vascular tumors and, consequently, extremely susceptible to problems from myomectomy-related hemorrhage. Hence, we aim to compare oxytocin efficacy and safety profile versus tranexamic acid (TA) with ethamsylate for reducing bleeding during myomectomy. METHODS: This randomized, double-blinded multicenter study was performed between 20th August 2020 and 20th October 2020 at El-Galaa Teaching Hospital, El Hussein University Hospital, Al-Azhar University Hospitals of Assiut, and Al-Azhar University Hospitals of Damietta. One hundred and eighty patients were enrolled and divided into three groups: group (1) received an injection of 30 IU of oxytocin in 500 ml of normal saline; group (2) received injections of 1 g of TA, 250 mg of Ethamsylate, and 110 ml of normal saline IV; and group (3) received an injection of 110 ml of normal saline IV just before surgical incision. RESULTS: In 180 premenopausal women, oxytocin and TA with ethamsylate had no significant value in lowering intraoperative blood loss compared with the placebo for abdominal myomectomy (666.25 ± 183.03, 630.72 ± 145.83, and 646.67 ± 168.92, respectively (P = 0.506)). Non-significant trends were observed for a reduction in operation time (P = 0.760), intra/postoperative blood transfusion (P = 0.624), hospital stay (P = 0.986), postoperative fever (P = 0.659), and wound infection (P = 1). CONCLUSION: Oxytocin and TA with ethamsylate had no significant value in lowering intraoperative blood loss compared with the placebo for abdominal myomectomy which opens a new question about the role of the use of the hemostatic drug during myomectomy especially in centers with limited resources and had higher rates. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered on Pan African Clinical Trials Registry with the following number: PACTR202008739887429 and was approved on 24/08/2020.

Comparative study between oxytocin and combination of tranexamic acid and ethamsylate in reducing intra-operative bleeding during emergency and elective cesarean section after 38 weeks of normal pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: Cesarean Section (CS) is associated with an increased risk of hemorrhage. Many drugs are used to decrease this risk. We aim to compare the combination of ethamsylate and tranexamic acid, oxytocin, and placebo in women undergoing CS. METHODS: We conducted a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial between October and December 2020 in four university hospitals in Egypt. The study included all pregnant women in labor without any complications who accepted to participate in the study between October and December 2020. The participants were divided into three groups. The subjects were randomly allocated to receive either oxytocin (30 IU in 500 ml normal saline during cesarean section), combined one gram of tranexamic acid with 250 mg of ethamsylate once before skin incision, or distilled water. Our main outcome was the amount of blood loss during the operation. The secondary outcomes were the need for blood transfusion, hemoglobin and hematocrit changes, hospital stay, operative complications, and the need for a hysterectomy. The one-way ANCOVA test was used to compare the quantitative variables between the three groups while the Chi-square test was used to compare the qualitative variables. Post hoc analysis then was performed to compare the difference between every two groups regarding the quantitative variables. RESULTS: Our study included 300 patients who were divided equally into three groups. Tranexamic acid with ethamsylate showed the least intra-operative blood loss (605.34 ± 158.8 ml) compared to oxytocin (625.26 ± 144.06) and placebo (669.73 ± 170.69), P = 0.015. In post hoc analysis, only tranexamic acid with ethamsylate was effective in decreasing the blood loss compared to placebo (P = 0.013); however, oxytocin did not reduce blood loss compared to saline (P = 0.211) nor to tranexamic acid with ethamsylate (P = 1). Other outcomes and CS complications showed no significant difference between the three groups except for post-operative thrombosis which was significantly higher in the tranexamic and ethamsylate group, P < 0.00001 and the need for a hysterectomy which was significantly increased in the placebo group, P = 0.017. CONCLUSION: The combination of tranexamic acid and ethamsylate was significantly associated with the least amount of blood loss. However, in pairwise comparisons, only tranexamic acid with ethamsylate was significantly better than saline but not with oxytocin. Both oxytocin and tranexamic acid with ethamsylate were equally effective in reducing intra-operative blood loss and the risk of hysterectomy; however, tranexamic acid with ethamsylate increased the risk of thrombotic events. Further research with a larger number of participants is needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered on Pan African Clinical Trials Registry with the following number: PACTR202009736186159 and was approved on 04/09/2020.

Granulocyte colony stimulating factor versus human chorionic gonadotropin for recurrent implantation failure in intra cytoplasmic sperm injection: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Repeated implantation failure (RIF) is defined as the case whereby the transferred embryos fail to implant after several attempts of In vitro fertilization (IVF) which causes a profound impact on the quality of life and financial burden. Some clinical studies have confirmed that Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) can improve pregnancy outcomes and implantation rates. Hence, our study aims to compare the efficacy of G-CSF and HCG on pregnancy outcomes in RIF women who undergo intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). METHODS: This randomized, single-blinded study was conducted et al.-Azhar University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt, between 10th October 2020 and 20th December 2020. The study included 100 women aged 20-43 years old undergoing ICSI cycles, with a history of RIF. Patients were divided randomly into two groups: group (1): included 50 patients injected with 500 IU of intrauterine HCG on embryo transfer day, and group (2): Included 50 patients injected with G-CSF on the embryo transfer day. RESULTS: In 100 RIF women, we found a significant improvement in pregnancy outcomes favoring G-CSF over HCG including implantation rate, chemical pregnancy, and clinical pregnancy (P < 0.0001, P = 0.0003, and P = 0.0006, respectively). CONCLUSION: For the first time, we demonstrated a significant improvement in pregnancy outcomes favoring G-CSF over HCG in terms of implantation rate, chemical pregnancy, and clinical pregnancy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered on Pan African Clinical Trials Registry with the following number: PACTR202010482774275 and was approved on 2nd October 2020.

Antenatal perineal massage benefits in reducing perineal trauma and postpartum morbidities: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Most vaginal births are associated with trauma to the perineum. The morbidity associated with perineal trauma can be significant, especially when it leads to third- and fourth-degree perineal tears. We hypothesized that antenatal perineal massage could decrease the incidence of perineal trauma, particularly severe perineal tears and other postpartum complications. METHODS: We searched four different databases from inception until August 2019 for the available trials. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which assessed the effect of antenatal perineal massage (intervention group) versus control group (no antenatal perineal massage) in perineal trauma patients. Data were extracted from eligible studies and meta-analyzed using RevMan software. Primary outcomes were the risk of episiotomies and perineal tears. Secondary outcomes were perineal pain, second stage of labor duration, wound healing, anal incontinence, and Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min. RESULTS: Eleven RCTs with 3467 patients were analyzed. Women who received antenatal perineal massage had significantly lower incidence of episiotomies (RR = 0.79, 95% CI [0.72, 0.87], p < 0.001) and perineal tears (RR = 0.79, 95% CI [0.67, 0.94], p = 0.007), particularly the risk of third- and fourth-degree perineal tears (p = 0.03). Better wound healing and less perineal pain were evident in the antenatal perineal massage group. Antenatal perineal massage reduced the second stage of labor duration (p = 0.005) and anal incontinence (p = 0.003) with significant improvement in Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Antenatal perineal massage is associated with a lower risk of severe perineal trauma and postpartum complications.

Letrozole vs. Placebo Pretreatment in the Medical Management of First Trimester Missed Miscarriage: a Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Misoprostol is used for the medical management of miscarriage as it is more effective in the early stages of pregnancy. Letrozole has an anti-estrogen effect and is used for the pretreatment of miscarriage with misoprostol. AIM: The aim of this study was compare the efficacy and safety of letrozole with placebo pretreatment in the medical management of first trimester missed miscarriage. DESIGN: This was a prospective randomized case-control study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four hundred and thirty-eight women were randomly divided into two groups of 219; the placebo group received placebo tablets twice daily for 3 days, followed by 800 micrograms of misoprostol vaginally on the fourth day of enrolment, while the letrozole group received letrozole 10 mg twice daily for three days followed by 800 micrograms misoprostol administered vaginally. Symptoms and side effects were recorded, and the women advised to return to hospital if they experienced severe pain or bleeding or intolerable side effects and to report to hospital for a check-up one week after misoprostol administration. Ultrasound was done seven days after misoprostol administration to monitor outcomes. Surgical evacuation was carried out if medical management failed. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two groups, with better outcomes found for the letrozole group in terms of rates of complete miscarriage, onset of vaginal bleeding, and interval between induction and onset of expulsion (p < 0.001). A higher rate of nausea and vomiting was reported for the letrozole group (p = 0.002). Differences between groups with regard to pre- and post-termination hemoglobin levels, fever, severe pain and severe bleeding needing evacuation were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Adding letrozole to misoprostol improves the success rate and decreases the interval between induction and expulsion in cases of first trimester miscarriage; however, nausea and vomiting is higher with letrozole.

Correction: Letrozole vs. Placebo Pretreatment in the Medical Management of First Trimester Missed Miscarriage: a Randomized Controlled Trial.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-122499.].